There are two basic types
of contact lenses on today’s market – soft contact lenses and the rigid
gas permeable contact lenses. Both are designed as alternatives to
conventional eyeglasses and offer vision correction for a wide spectrum
of patients.

Soft Contact Lenses
are larger and flexible, they need to be kept wet in order to
maintain their shape. These lenses are designed for immediate
comfort and wearability. These lenses are often disposable,
convenient in that they do not need to be cared for or maintained
but can be worn once, or for a few weeks, and then disposed of
without thought.

Rigid Gas Permeable
lenses are smaller and harder, maintaing their shape even when
dry. RGP lenses offer patient’s sharper vision (particularly for
patient’s suffering from astigmatism) than the soft contact lenses.
Although RGP lenses often require a longer adaptation period, these
durable lenses can last for up to three years with proper care and
maintenance.

Both RGP and Soft
Contact Lenses are valuable and useful medical options, and an eye
care professional should be contacted for further information about
the pros and cons of each lens type.